BA Chinese Studies (2020 entry)

Overview

Please note that this BA programme will undergo a structural reform for 2019/20. Although the overall scope and learning outcomes will remain mostly unchanged, there may be minor changes to the core module and the selection of guided options. These changes are designed to improve the student experience and engagement with the subject matter, based on feedback from current and previous students.

This programme combines the study of Chinese language with the study of China-related subjects in various disciplines. Compared to the existing single-subject BA Chinese degree, there is less emphasis on language learning. Compared to the existing 2-degree BA Chinese and… degree, there is more space to study China-related courses in a range of disciplines. The programme also differs from the existing offerings in that there is no year abroad included.

Through the course of the three years, students take units in modern Chinese at the appropriate level. They can start as complete beginners, or they can start from higher levels. Progression through a total of four levels is offered, whereas for those who exceed the highest level, language-based courses in literature and film, as well as a language-based dissertation, are available. The programme also offers courses in regional languages, namely Cantonese and Hokkien.

The programme will be attractive both to students who wish to study China-related subjects without a strong emphasis on language, and to students who wish to work at an advanced language level within a more traditional “sinological” framework, as it is offered at most other universities.

Start of programme: September

Mode of Attendance: Full-time

Who is this programme for?:

This programme is for applicants who have intermediate to advanced language skills and are looking for a programme where they can acquire China-related knowledge across disciplines while working with the language at a suitable level. At the same time, there are also ab-initio students who require a shorter programme without a year abroad. This programme caters to both types of students.

Entry requirements

Interview Policy: Candidates with ‘non-standard’ qualifications may be invited for interview.

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duration:

3 years

Fees 2019/20

UK/EU fees:

£9,250

Overseas fees:

£17,750

Fees for 2019/20 entrants. The fees are per academic year. Please note that fees go up each year.Further details can be found in the Fees and Funding tab on this page or in the Registry Undergraduate Tuition Fees page

Convenors

Q&A

Introducing undergraduate Chinese programmes

Dr Rosella Ferrari is Reader in Chinese and Theatre Studies at SOAS University of London and convenor of the BA Chinese (Modern and Classical), BA Chinese Studies, and BA Chinese and… programmes.

How did you first get interested in China and Chinese language?

I studied languages in high school and I was interested in Asian philosophies, but growing up in a relatively small place (and before the internet!) I was not even aware that one could pursue a degree in Asian languages and cultures. I only found out by chance that the University of Venice offered such a degree, so I applied to study Chinese language and literature there.

What is your particular area of research?

I specialise in the performance cultures of the Sinophone region. Most of my work so far has dealt with the experimental theatres of mainland China and Hong Kong and, to a lesser extent, Taiwan and Singapore. I am especially interested in the relationship between performance and politics, practices of transnational and intercultural collaboration, and interactions between the performance communities of the Chinese-speaking world and other Asian cultures.

What is special about the BA Chinese Studies programme? What kind of students will it appeal to?

Our department offers three BA degrees in Chinese. BA Chinese (Modern and Classical), a 4-year single honours degree that includes a year abroad in China in year 2; BA Chinese and..., a 4-year joint degree that also includes a year abroad in China in year 2, and BA Chinese Studies. All our degrees can cater to students with different levels of language proficiency, from ab initio to intermediate and advanced - for example, those who come to SOAS with A Levels in Chinese. We also offer various modules on classical and literary Chinese, Hokkien (Taiwanese), Cantonese, and Tibetan.

What is special about BA Chinese Studies is its flexibility. It does not require students to go on the year abroad and can be completed in 3 years. It will therefore appeal to students who, for any reason, are unable, or do not wish, to spend a year away from the UK, as well as those who would rather complete their degree before going to China to pursue further studies or career opportunities. The language curriculum in this degree is not as intensive as in the 4-year single-honours degree, and the structure is flexible, so that students can choose from a range of modules in both the humanities and the social sciences, including cultural and literary studies, media, film and theatre studies, anthropology, music, history, study of religions, art and archaeology, politics, economics, and law. Our students are also what makes our programmes special; year after year, they never fail to take the top prizes in national and international competitions, such as the Chinese Bridge.

What advice would you give to a student considering Chinese Studies?

To be curious and open-minded and to be prepared to work hard, but also to be surprised. Chinese is not an easy language to learn, but it is an incredibly fascinating one. Students will be amazed at the advanced level of proficiency in reading, speaking, listening, and writing that they can achieve with a degree at SOAS.

Year 1

Compulsory Module

Core Module

Choose a Modern Language module(s) from List A below to the value of 30 credits, although you may select the 60-credit module. Students who select the 60-credit module will take the same modules as per the BA Chinese (Modern and Classical) programme in their first year.

AND

Guided Option

Choose from List B and/or List D below to the value of 30 credits

AND

Choose from List B and/or List D below to the value of 15 credits

OR

Choose from List D or related Language or Non-Language open option modules to the value of 15 credits

Programme Specification

Important notice

The information on the programme page reflects the intended programme structure against the given academic session. If you are a current student you can find structure information on the previous year link at the top of the page or through your Department. Please read the important notice regarding changes to programmes and modules.

Teaching and Learning

Year abroad

This programme does not have a year abroad.

Teaching & Learning

Contact Hours

All full-time undergraduate programmes consist of 120 credits per year, in modules of 60, 45, 30 or 15 credits. They are taught over 10 or 20 weeks. The programme structure shows which modules are taught over one term or the full year. It also shows which modules are compulsory and which are optional.

As a rough guide, 1 credit equals approximately 10 hours of work. Most of this will be independent study (see Approaches to teaching and learning at SOAS). It will also include class time, which may include lectures, seminars and other classes. Some subjects, such as learning a language, have more class time than others.

Employment

As a graduate who specialised in China and Inner Asia, you will have gained competency in language skills and intercultural awareness and understanding. Familiarity with the region will have been developed through a study of language in combination with literature, development studies, economics, geography, history, history of art and archaeology, law, linguistics, music, politics, social anthropology or religion.

Graduates leave SOAS not only with linguistic and cultural expertise, but also with a portfolio of widely transferable skills which employers seek in many professional and management careers, both in business and in the public sector. These include written and oral communication skills, attention to detail,analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to research, amass and order information from a variety of sources.

Graduates have gone on to work for a range of organisations including:

Halo Associates (Asia) LtdIndependent Power Corporation PLCOxford University PressSiChuan WenJun Spirits Companythe International Herald TribuneThe University of Hong KongUnited Nations Population FundUniversity of CambridgeWashington State House of Representatives

Professional TranslatorDirector of Research for ChinaSocial WorkerHead, Asia ProgrammePhotographerProfessorial Research AssociateSenior Lecturer in Chinese ArchaeologyEnergy ConsultantIndependent Columnist and ReporterArt Curator